Like most Southerners, many varieties of Gulf Coast fish prefer the warm weather. So when the temperatures start to drop, locals and tourists alike get the impression that their seafood dinner is less fresh than it would be during the spring and summer.

This, however, is not the case. We’ve all heard that oysters are freshest during months that have an “r” in their name, and blue crab is plentiful all year long, but there are several fish that thrive during the cold months.

Here are a few of our favorite winter fish to spice up your dinner fare.

Triggerfish

Triggerfish season begins in January, so start looking for these guys on your favorite restaurant menu. They used to fly under the radar of commercial fishermen, but in recent years, Triggerfish has made quite a comeback. They’re relatively light in size (typically less than five pounds), but they pack a sweet flavor that has to be tasted.

These fish are served as boneless, skinless white filets, and because they’re light in size, pan-frying is a quick and easy cooking method. Don’t go overboard on spices and seasonings, though—because the Triggerfish is full of natural flavor, you don’t need much more than butter, lemon juice and white wine.

Sheepshead

You’ve always been told not to judge a book by its cover. Well, catching Sheepshead is the perfect time to apply this advice. These small fish (usually three or four pounds) have a full set of human-eqsue teeth to complement their black and silver stripes. In short, Sheepshead is rather ugly—but on the inside, it makes for some of the tastiest filets in the Gulf. And with a cold-weather peak season that runs from November to April, now is the time to give this fish a try.

If your favorite restaurant has Sheepshead on the menu, try it blackened, broiled or fried up golden brown. But if you catch your own or you find filets at your local seafood market, Sheepshead can be a great substitute in any dish that calls for crab meat. Just make sure you cut the red meat from the filet before you cook it.

Amberjack

If you’re brave enough to board a charter boat and cast out during the cold weather, make sure Amberjack is at the top of your list; this medium-sized fish (typically 40 pounds or less) has earned a reputation for being one of the Gulf Coast’s most worthy adversaries. But Amberjack isn’t just for anglers—they’re also quite tasty. Amberjack is a thick, meaty fish with a mild flavor, so it’s sure to please seafood fans of all degrees.

For a fish this hearty, blackening is an excellent way to go. If you’re preparing the fish yourself, make sure your filets are just over an inch thick to allow for a thorough cook. Just cover the filets in butter and your favorite mixture of spices and then let your cast iron skillet do the rest of the work.

Black Drum

With a patch of “whiskers” below its chin, Black Drum isn’t exactly a beauty queen. But if you’re able to reel one in (be warned, they put up quite a fight), you’ll see why it’s one of the Gulf Coast’s favorite fish. Unlike most Alabama fish, though, Black Drum varies in taste depending on its size. “Puppy Drums” (any catch that weighs in at 10 pounds or less) are the tastiest sort, and it’s not recommended that you eat any Black Drum over that size. The smaller, the better.

But these guys are anything but small on taste. Black Drum is a meaty fish that goes well in just about any seafood recipe, like chowders or Creole dishes. For those that like to keep it simple, simply sauté the filets after you’ve rolled them in flour and seasoned them with salt, pepper and paprika.